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Nearly 4,000 car dealers ask Biden to 'tap the brakes' on EV mandates

posted a year ago by Rorikon (18396)
10 replies | jump to latest

https://www.autoblog.com/2023/11/29/nearly-4000-car-dealers-ask-biden-to-tap-the-brakes-on-ev-mandates/

It's not just the usual suspects: Most of the 3,882 dealers who signed the letter distribute brands that have invested a substantial amount of money into developing electric cars. Ford, Kia, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, and even Volvo dealers appear on the list. And, these stores are located all across the nation, including in big EV markets like California (336 dealers), Washington (62 dealers), and New York (167 dealers).

"No government agency, no think tank, and no polling firm knows more about the automobile customer than us. We talk to customers every day. As retail automotive dealerships, we are agnostic as to what we sell. Our business is to provide customers with vehicles that meet the needs of their budgets and lifestyles," the letter states. What they've collectively found is that "the majority of customers" don't want an EV.

The dealers provide several explanations. One is that customers are concerned about the price of electric cars, which cost significantly more than comparable gasoline-powered models. For context, the 2024 Hyundai Kona carries a base price of $25,435 including destination, while the 2023 Kona Electric starts at $34,885. Charging remains a problem as well: Many motorists don't have a garage, don't have easy access to public charging stations, or both, according to the letter. Driving range is an issue, too, especially in hot and/or cold climates, and a lot of drivers find filling up a fuel tank in a few minutes far more convenient than waiting for a battery pack to charge. As for truck shoppers, dealers argue that they're "put off by the dramatic loss of range while towing" — Ford's F-150 Lightning loses about 25% of its range when towing.

Last but definitely not least, the letter points out that "many people just want to make their own choice about what vehicle is right for them."

According to The Wall Street Journal, new-car dealers (including those who didn't sign the letter) are sitting on a 103-day supply of EVs, versus a 56-day supply of all cars regardless of fuel type. Selling an EV takes about 65 days, or twice as long as a gasoline-burning model.

Ultimately, "the supply of unsold BEVs is surging, as they are not selling nearly as fast as they are arriving at our dealerships — even with deep price cuts, manufacturer incentives, and generous government incentives."

The letter stresses that the dealers aren't against electric cars; they're simply pointing out that, from their perspective, the EV mandate looks unrealistic. They also note that the appeal of an electric car could increase over time as battery technology improves, costs come down, and the charging infrastructure becomes more reliable.

Wut? The free market has currently spoken? No way.

Extra:
https://youtu.be/IaEbdC0G-Uw

[–] BKB (11339) a year ago

Another problem with this is the Batteries are Lithium and more expensive than the EV itself and if they catch fire, they're hard to put out.. Just ask the fire dept that.. A Basic TESLA model starts around $60K and no one is going to give up their gas powered vehicle or even their Hybrid for an EV

[–] Rorikon (18396) a year ago

Eh, the very basic is around $35k (Model 3), not sure where the $60k (Model Y?) is coming from. Tesla is also coming out with a new Tesla model that will cost around $15k.

https://www.torquenews.com/14335/tesla-will-build-model-2-then-model-1-each-half-cost-prior-model

[–] stickman38 (3439) a year ago

Fully electric vehicles is stupid. They should just make hybrids.

Not that anyone would buy those either but I do think it's a much easier sell. At this point, electric cars are not exactly flying off the shelves.

[–] Rorikon (18396) a year ago

Hybrids do sell better, automakers are more focused on those than pure EV. It's cool because the electric can be used when the gas is low along with charging itself when you start breaking (friction charge).

[–] Filmtenk2 (4144) a year ago

Go back to a time before EV's were part of the equation say 20 years ago. Why didn't car manufacturers design one car that was reliable, cheap, and gas efficient? Something that had mass produced parts that are all the same so when you got into an accident it didn't cost an arm & a leg to replace and drive your insurance premiums up. They could have done this, they had the technology, and wouldn't have had the excuse of "the battery tech isn't quite there." Short answer, profits & individualism.

Why did Ford ever need to produce Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln cars? A Lincoln doesn't provide you with a greater chance of surviving a car wreck than a Ford. After the 2008/9 crash Ford dropped Mercury cars altogether because they were hardly different than Fords and deemed unnecessary fat.

I appreciate and admire the history of car design. Muscle cars were awesome. Lamborghini, Ferrari, bmw all cool. But I don't need endless choice. Most people just need something that gets them from point A to B. Maybe we should rethink individualism in cars. I wouldn't care if my car looked exactly the same as all the ones surrounding it in a parking lot as long as I could find it with my fob. No one cares if everyone in the same room owns an iPhone.

Transportation is one of the biggest needs. It should be widely available and affordable. If you want to make non-necessities tier-priced and competitive fine.

[–] stickman38 (3439) a year ago

>>>Go back to a time before EV's were part of the equation say 20 years ago.<<<

I think they used to make an electric motor home back in the day, I think it was beyond 20 years ago, like maybe 30 years ago. I remember hearing about it, the design made sense on this thing too. When the wheels turn it charges the battery. Kind of like it had it's own little power plant built right into the vehicle. You didn't need to "charge" the thing. It was a great design.

I am not sure if they made any cars like this but I would think they could do it today. They have the technology to make a car like this.

[–] Filmtenk2 (4144) a year ago

Interesting. I know the Tesla partially charges its battery when you push the brake while driving. I took a ride in one recently and they really are designed well just too expensive presently. I think the price comes down every year and there is a bare bones model coming that will continue that trend.

I supported hybrid cars a great deal but after experiencing the simplicity of the Tesla (nothing under the hood so no engine to fix, minimal maintenance costs bc wear and tear works for you not against you) I'd say skip the middle man hybrid and go right to the EV. Pipe dream at this point though.

[–] B1cKsurN (17838) a year ago

People don't want EVs... Dealerships know they can't sell them.

Biden Admin trying to mandate them is just another expose of the agenda behind all this BS.

[–] Galilguy (2533) a year ago

I am laughing as the dealers realize they have a genuine hot potato sitting in the lot that really could spontaneously combust at any time and they can't get rid of them.

The insurance hit was the death blow.

You can't repair them in even a minor accident..

[–] tvfan (14574) a year ago

Another fascist mandate by the Biden Admin, shocker.